C15 14. CUPID INTRODUCTION

RUBIN

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” his voice startled me. With my heart beating fast, I open my eyes to see him looming over me, his smirk annoyingly beautiful on that perfect face of his. “Pity, you did not watch how that darken alley transition to this,” He pulled at my sleeve impatiently to rose me from the floor and I was surprise to see that we are actually back at his flat. “Come on. You just told me that you are hungry, aren’t you?”

“This–the wind–we, I...how?” I glance around, still not believing my eyes. He headed towards the side of his living room, swiping his hand on the wall and I was shocked when it swings, showing the kitchen. He removes his coat, walks toward the sink before washing his hands, wiping it on the towel beside him. He stared back at me and began rummaging inside a very big cupboard. I followed him inside the kitchen and peered behind only to be amused. “How did the cupboard get this cold?” I wondered out loud and he laughed, with real tears falling on the sides of his cheek. Worried of his condition, I put my hand on his forehead and check for fever.

Well, it seems that he’s fine so why is he acting weird?

I draw my hand back as the surge surprised me. Caelum directed a glare at me, “I warned you about not touching me.” He cleared his throat before continuing, “This is not a cupboard, this is a refrigerator. We put meat and fish inside, including other perishable foods.” I look inside and noticed dozens of bottles colored transparent and brown. Caelum wiped a stray tear and chuckled before he close the door to the cold cupboard. “Though in this case, there is nothing but water and liquor inside. I forgot to inform Aeon to buy some edibles. Geez,” He hung his head low before he chuckled once again. Not fully understanding the meaning of his words, I opened the door to the refrigerator again and smiled, amused by the light.

Caelum sat down on the stool and watched me. After some time, he went to his room and left me there, amused of how modern the kitchen is. I should tell Aunt Lilia about the cold cupboard–she will be shocked. After a while, the cold cupboard did not appear as fun as it was for the light keeps on disappearing. I was about to follow him in his room when he came back, carrying something on his hands. He puts it down on the table and I lounge at it, curious. He pushed my forehead back and glares at me. He pulled me on a seat, kneeled down on the floor and said, “Raise your feet,” I heed his command and settled my feet on his knee. He took some cream and slowly dab it on my wounded feet, he blows at it before putting it back down. “Now it’s alright.”

He catches my eyes as I watched him. I bowed down and gave him a sheepish smile. Putting both of my feet down, he laughs, “Don’t be fooled by this, stupid Cupid. This is a mere act of kindness you will hardly receive from Dieoubliè.” I rolled my eyes and stood, “Merci,” he gave me a roguish smile, before he took the clothes from the table. “Here, change into this before we go outside and eat.”

I take the pair of clothes and headed inside his room, locking the door. I removed the articles of my clothing and leave them in a heap. I momentarily stared at the red clothing before pulling the first one over my head, smiling since it felt so soft against my skin–the second one confuses me more since I haven’t seen such a thing. I put it over my head and open the door only to be pushed back inside.

“It’s not meant for your head, it is supposed to be for your legs!” I bit my lip, blushing as I take it off my head and inserted my feet on the holes–am I doing it right? I stare at the mirror and prance around, making faces. “What’s been taking you so long? Get a move already and do not dawdle!” His thunderous voice startled me. I got outside his room and was surprised to see him staring at me. He cleared his throat and put something on the floor–they were golden. “I got it downstairs, try it on.” I carefully walk to him and notice the pretty little thing he is holding. He sighs, kneeling down before helping me slip my feet on them. “These are called shoes, you need to wear them so as to not hurt your feet when you are walking around.” I nodded, curious of how it concealed my toes. Caelum straighten up and gave me a once over, his eyes lingering longer than I expect them to considering that he is irritated by my presence.

We stared at each other, his eyes roaming on my face as I stand there. “Come on, let’s get going then,” I gave him a bright smile and before I knew it, he summoned the winds as before. He pulled me right into the wind with his face weirdly contorted and my face filled with confusion.

Was he smiling or pouting?

*

“No, no, no, NO!”

He stands from his seat before huffing, placing a chair next to me. He tucked a stray hair on my ear and take a napkin out of the pod next to me, “Are you from a jungle or a faraway island? I thought, cupids are sophisticated and highly regarded creatures–so what happen to you and your etiquette?” he pass the napkin at me which I quickly use to clean the sides of my mouth. “Should you have attended those classes instead of going down here on earth? I didn’t know that I will be so lucky to come across a barbaric cupid, not to mention an idiot one.” My face burned at his words and I avoided his gaze. “Hey–I am only saying this so that you will listen and learn…er, what’s your name again?”

“Rubin, my name is Rubin Hearthrowe.”

“Okay Rubin, watch how you should do it the proper way,” He took the fork and spoon, gently twirling the pasta on the fork over the spoon. After doing so, he pushed it towards my mouth and I swallowed it. He huffed, giving me the fork and spoon, “Now, you do it.” Shyly, I followed his example and got it right, earning a chuckle. “Wow, I didn’t know that you can easily learn, Rubin!” He pat my head and watched me as I proceed with my pasta. His eyes widen at what he said and he cleared his throat, scratching his neck.

He ordered me food after food, giving me as much as I could handle. The food here on earth is undeniably delicious, specially the cakes. I helped myself with the third serving of the chocolate mousse and was surprise when he stood. He glared at the black pad on his hand, his gaze seems like it is burning a hole through it.

“What’s the matter?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you staring at the black pad like you will chuck it off at the middle of the ocean?”

“Black pad?” my odd words startled him that he gave me a slight smile, shaking the black pad on his hand, “You mean this?” I nodded, focusing on the black pad. “It’s not called black pad, silly, this is a phone , you see,” He scrolled on the pad and I am surprise as the icons move, “a phone.”

“ A phone,” My eyes were glued on it. He gave me a slight smile before he sighs. I curiously peered up at him and was surprise to see him apologetic. “I have to go, it’s urgent. I am so sorry…” He pat my head, awkwardly, before pulling some paper from his pocket. “Here’s a few euros,” He puts them on my hand before he draw back. “Keep it safe, and do survive, okay?”

He gave me another look, waved his hands as he walk at the gust of wind.